Sawtoothed Grain Beetle

Category:

Actual Size: ⅛”

Characteristics: Slender, flat, and brown bodies.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Yes, but do not fly.

Habitat: Known for infesting dried goods, especially in pantries or food processing facilities.

Habits:

  • Have 6 tiny saw-like “teeth” on each side of the body.
  • Has a weak jaw and prefers fine dust or crumbs of grains.
  • Enters homes in infested products purchased from grocery stores.


Sawtoothed Grain Beetles in San Angelo

The sawtoothed grain beetle is a common pest in stored goods across the United States, found in homes, stores, warehouses, and grain facilities. It looks similar to the merchant grain beetle, though the merchant grain beetle can fly, unlike the sawtoothed one. Grown-ups make their way into stored grains, flour, sugar, nuts, and other dry plant-based items through openings in containers. They can’t attack intact grains and are often found in food previously infested by other pests. Their flat shape helps them get into broken grain kernels and packages. These beetles not only contaminate food but also contribute to mold problems when moisture accumulates.

Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Habitat

Sawtoothed grain beetles are often seen in food production, storage, and retail locations, as well as household pantries. They feast on bread, cereal, pasta, dried meats, nuts, and other dry foods. A female beetle can lay up to 250 eggs in grain kernels’ crevices. Like other pantry insects, it’s the larvae that cause the most harm, although adults are frequently found. People usually spot an infestation when adult beetles are seen moving around a pantry.

Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Sawtoothed grain beetles do not spread diseases or bite humans. They are simply bothersome pests that damage stored food. They can infiltrate sealed cardboard boxes and soft plastic packaging. Often, they enter homes through infested items bought from stores. The main source of infestation tends to be the manufacturing site where the product was made.

If you have sawtoothed grain beetles in your San Angelo property, contact your local pantry pest control experts for help.